African American Wisdom package

African American Wisdom Traditions Holistic Resilient and Embodied Worldviews

With Arisika Razak
Hosted by Nadirah Adeye

This talk provides a brief overview of the embodied, holistic, spiritual healing traditions of Africa and the African Diaspora. It reviews: 1) the integration of the spiritual, physical, emotional and political realms in African/Diasporan lifeways and worldviews; 2) the use of music and dance to raise the vibration of the body in spiritual rituals, economic endeavors and political resistance; 3)the roles and importance of women and other genders; 4) the flexibility and adaptability of Diasporan culture; 5) the importance of Africa to the non-African world 6)selected stories of West African gods and goddesses

  • Understanding of African/Diasporan worldviews: integration of spiritual, political, physical and emotional realms
  • Use of music and art to raise the vibration of the body to a) embody spirit b) empower individuals and communities c) preserve the inheritance of the ancestors
  • The importance of the collective "we" versus the individual "I" in Africana worldviews
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Arisika Razak

Associate Professor; RN; NM; MPH
Arisika Razak, RN, NM, MPH is an Associate Professor of Women’s Spirituality at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), where she previously served as Director of Diversity, and Women’s Spirituality Program Chair. Her academic work integrates Africana Studies, Ethnic Studies, Women’s Studies and Women’s Spirituality, and she served as an inner city midwife for over twenty years. Arisika has led spiritual and healing workshops for African American women and women of color for over 30 years; for the last decade she has taught beings of all genders at Buddhist retreat centers. A participant in numerous civil and human rights struggles, Arisika has contributed to the development of holistic anti-racist practices and pedagogies, and has served as a facilitator for groups in conflict. She has performed as a spiritual dancer nationally and internationally, integrating earth based spiritualties, women’s health and healing, and local and global liberation struggles. Her film credits include: Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth showcasing the life of Alice Walker; Fire Eyes the first full length feature film by an African woman to explore the issue of female genital cutting; and Who Lives Who Dies a PBS special on health care services to marginalized populations.
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